4R70W Shift Kit 1996-2003, new and ready to install. Fits the 4R70W. Ships fast from the USA.
Despite the shift-kit name on this listing, what ships is a complete master rebuild package for the 1996-2003 Ford 4R70W: an overhaul gasket and seal set, a Raybestos friction module and an 18-piece steel module. It is aimed at the F-150, Expedition, Crown Victoria, Grand Marquis, Town Car and Mustang owner whose transmission slips, flares between gears or has burned clutch material in the pan, and who wants every friction surface and seal renewed in one teardown. If you want firmer shift calibration, that is a valve body kit such as the TransGo AODE-HD2, which installs alongside this kit.
Raybestos breaks STMFORD09 down as 4 intermediate, 6 direct, 5 forward and 3 reverse steels, which is exactly 18 plates. Running new steels with new frictions matters on a high-mileage unit, because glazed or heat-blued steels will glaze fresh frictions within a few thousand miles. A filter and bands are not listed in the contents, so plan to buy those separately.
The 4R70W stacks four clutch packs, the forward, direct, intermediate and reverse, plus the overdrive and low-reverse bands. Each pack can only hold what the line pressure behind it allows, and that pressure only reaches the piston if the seals and sealing rings are tight. Over time the frictions wear thin and the rubber hardens, so the unit loses holding power from both directions at once. This kit renews both: new friction and steel plates restore capacity, and the KP37900G seals restore the pressure that clamps them.
Plenty of 4R70Ws get rebuilt for problems the valve body caused. Transmission Digest documents a worn pressure regulator bore that bleeds EPC oil to the pump inlet, so line pressure never rises and good clutches slip. Gauge line pressure and confirm it climbs with load before you commit to an overhaul. On 2001-2003 units, Sonnax also points to separator plate bowing after Ford deleted the 2-3 accumulator stiffener plate, which cross-leaks forward and direct oil and burns the direct clutch. Our F-150 shift problems guide and the harsh shift causes guide walk through those checks.
The kit is listed for 1996-2003 4R70W units, and the listing notes 4R75W applications that use compatible components. Inside that window Ford moved from a soft internal harness to a molded lead frame in 1998 and revised the valve body in 2001, but those changes do not affect the soft parts and plates in this kit. It is not for 2004-up units: ATRA documents the 2004 redesign of the ring gear, output speed sensor and sun shell. Confirm with the transmission ID tag, or send us your year and VIN. More parts are on the 4R70W collection page.
Soak every new friction in clean MERCON V before assembly, check each clutch pack clearance against the service manual after stacking, and air-check the drums before the unit goes back together. On a 2001-2003 valve body, install the Sonnax 76507F-01K retainer plate kit while it is apart. If the valve body itself is worn, a reman such as the 2001-2008 4R70W valve body is often cheaper than chasing bores. Fill with MERCON V and check the level hot.
| Fits | 4R70W 1996-2003 |
| Part type | Shift Kit |
| Condition | New |
| Brand | Raybestos |
| Ships | From the USA |
| Warranty | 1-year |
Doing this repair right usually means replacing these at the same time. Same transmission, ships together.
It is a master rebuild kit. The listing contents are the KP37900G overhaul kit, Raybestos RHT96-108 friction module and STMFORD09 steel module. Shift kits are separate valve body parts.
They are not listed in the contents, so order a filter and inspect or replace the overdrive and low-reverse bands during the rebuild.
No. It is listed for 1996-2003. The 2004 redesign changed several internal parts, so 2004-up units need a 2004-up kit.
Eighteen. Raybestos lists STMFORD09 as 4 intermediate, 6 direct, 5 forward and 3 reverse steels.
MERCON V for the 1996-2003 4R70W. Pre-soak the frictions in it, fill, then set the final level hot on the dipstick.
